Amherst Volunteer Fair coming up

AMHERST – The town invites students and community members to join its annual Amherst Volunteer Fair on Saturday, Sept. 21, to explore the many volunteer opportunities available in town.

The event connects community members directly with representatives from local organizations seeking volunteers. Whether looking to give back, gain experience, or meet new people, the Amherst Volunteer Fair is the perfect place to discover how to make a positive impact in the community.

Among the representatives in attendance include the Amherst Senior Center, Jones Library, Jones Library ESL Center, town of Amherst, Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Amherst Recreation, Amherst Historical Society and Museum, Amherst Neighbors and more.

The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Amherst Town Common off Boltwood Avenue.

For more information, contact Senior Services Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Julia MacFadzen at macfadzenj@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3060.

Mass Cultural Council launches grant program for schools

BOSTON – Applications are being accepted to Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Projects for Schools fiscal 2025 grant round. This new grant program will support creative learning experiences in the arts, sciences, and humanities for K-12 students.

As the commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities. The agency pursues this mission through a wide range of grants, initiatives, and advocacy for artists, communities, organizations, and schools.

An expansion of the agency’s former grant program known as STARS Residencies, this program will provide funding for a broad range of school-based projects, including residencies, that foster creative learning. Eligible applicants include public schools, nonprofit schools or organizations, and for-profit schools or organizations.

Mass Cultural Council anticipates making 300, $5,000 awards this fiscal year. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 10. An information session is scheduled for Sept. 10 and Sept. 12. Grant notifications will be made in late 2024.

Applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines at massculturalcouncil.org for more information, including instructions on how to apply.

HCC fall session II classes start Sept. 16

HOLYOKE — While the fall 2024 semester at Holyoke Community College is now underway, prospective students have two more chances to sign up for classes for the current term.

Fall session II classes begin Monday, Sept. 16, and run for 12 weeks. Fall session III classes begin Monday, Oct. 28, and run for seven weeks. Full fall semester classes at HCC (14 weeks) began Tuesday, Sept. 3. All fall semester classes conclude by Friday, Dec. 13.

Students who enroll for HCC’s flexible fall start dates have the opportunity to take a variety of courses both on campus and online in anthropology, business administration, communication, culinary arts, economics, English, English as a Second Language, forensic science, geography, health, history, human services, law, management, math, music, psychology, sociology, and veterinary and animal science.

They are also still eligible to apply for MassEducate, the state’s new free community college program, which pays both tuition and fees, and, in some cases, includes a stipend for books and supplies.

To see a full list of courses and sections, visit hcc.edu/flex-fa24.

The HCC Admissions and Advising offices are located on the first floor of the HCC Campus Center and are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Fridays).

For more information, contact HCC Admissions at 413-552-2321 / admissions@hcc.edu or visit online at hcc.edu.